SEC Week Eight Recap: Auburn Stands Alone As Perfect Team

Auburn Runs Over LSU to Remain Unbeaten It is time, perhaps past time, to consider Auburn a legitimate national title contender. The home standing Tigers, led by Heisman frontrunner QB Cameron Newton, rolled up over 400 yards of rushing against the top defense in the SEC and beat LSU, 24-17. Newton’s 217 yards set the league’s single-season rushing mark for a quarterback.

Auburn’s defense, which had been gashed throughout the year, stymied LSU most of the day and came up with some big second half stops. DT Nick Fairly routinely whipped LSU offensive lineman and harassed the backfield.

LSU is off next week. Auburn, projected to be #1 in the BCS standings, travels to play Ole Miss.

Georgia Continues Resurgence, Beats Kentucky, 44-31 Georgia RB Wayshaun Ealey set the school mark with five rushing touchdowns, as his squad pounded Kentucky into submission, 44-31.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead and survived a big second half by Kentucky QB Mike Hartline in order to preserve the win.

Georgia plays Florida next week. Kentucky travels to take on Mississippi State.

Arkansas Tops Ole Miss, 38-24

Arkansas survived two weather delays and a strong performance by Ole Miss QB Jeremiah Masoli by relying on the running game. Razorbacks RB Knile Davis ran for 176 yards and caught three touchdowns in the win.

Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett, a week after being knocked out of a game with a concussion, started but did not return to play after the first weather delay and is said to be ready for action next week.

Masoli finished the game 21-for-36 for 327 yards and three scores. He also rushed for a team high 98 yards on 15 carries.

Arkansas plays Vanderbilt at home next week. Ole Miss is at home against Auburn.

In other action… – South Carolina used a strong rushing game to slip by a pesky Vanderbilt team, 21-7. South Carolina hosts Tennessee next week. Vanderbilt travels to play Arkansas.

– Mississippi State had to come from behind to get past UAB, 29-24. It’s the second time UAB has nearly pulled off an upset against a SEC opponent this season. Mississippi State hosts Kentucky next week.

– Alabama returned to form on Saturday night, crushing Tennessee, 41-10. Alabama stormed out to 28 unanswered second half points, as No. 7 Alabama never looked back. Alabama has a bye next week. Tennessee travels to play South Carolina.